Nash dismisses rumors
With Raja Bell and Boris Diaw joining Shawn Marion and coach Mike D’Antoni as former Suns, there’s speculation Steve Nash could be next.
Shaken by Wednesday’s trade of Bell and Diaw, Nash went 2 for 12 from the field in that night’s loss to the Lakers, noting, “I was pretty flat emotionally.”
Bell and Nash, close friends, had been publicly petitioning coach Terry Porter to speed up his offense.
The Suns are fighting for No. 8 in the West and Nash, 34, will be a free agent in 2010.
“I knew you were going to go there,” Nash told the Arizona Republic’s Paul Coro. “I don’t know. Like I said before about the 2010 speculation, it’s so far away.”
Of course, no one would want Nash more than D’Antoni, now coaching in New York, where Nash lives in the off-season.
Meeting challenges
Last season, Orlando Coach Stan Van Gundy challenged Dwight Howard to lead the league in rebounding, which he proceeded to do for the first time.
This season, the staff challenged Howard to lead in rebounding and blocks, which he’s doing, almost doubling his career high of 2.1 blocks to 4.0.
And next season’s goal?
“I don’t know what will be left,” said Van Gundy.
Karl, Smith not talking
Denver’s J.R. Smith, demoted by coach George Karl during the Nuggets’ 14-4 surge, lamented: “We never talk. I wish we did. You never want to not even talk to your coach.”
Replied Karl: “J.R. is a good-bad player and we’re trying to take the bad out. … Some nights I’ll tolerate his bad and some nights I’m probably going to go someplace else.”
Replied Smith: “He’s going to think what he wants to think. I just go out there and be me.”
Mobley a competitor
Aside from underlining the NBA’s need to more closely monitor the heart condition that killed Hank Gathers and Reggie Lewis, Cuttino Mobley’s retirement ends the career of one of the league’s grittiest competitors.
Listed at 6-4 but really 6-2, he averaged 16 points over 11 seasons and earned a reputation as a tough defender while guarding bigger players.
A Clipper for three progressively worse seasons, he remained one of their most unselfish players, once volunteering to come off the bench so Corey Maggette could start.
After his trade to the Knicks, an MRI test showed the condition that obliged him to sign waivers with the Rockets, Kings and Clippers had worsened. Said Mobley: “That MRI saved my life.”
With $18 million coming, no one has to hold a benefit for him, but he was someone who earned his money.
On the court
Hawks 97, Cavaliers 92: At Atlanta, Mike Bibby scored 24 points, Marvin Williams hit the clinching free throws, and the Hawks snapped Cleveland’s 11-game winning streak. LeBron James had 33 points for the Cavs.
76ers 104, Wizards 89: At Philadelphia, Elton Brand scored a season-high 27 points, leading the 76ers over struggling Washington in Tony DiLeo’s coaching debut.
Magic 103, Jazz 94: At Salt Lake City, Rashard Lewis scored 27 points, and Orlando beat the Utah despite playing without injured center Dwight Howard, who missed the first game of his career.